Geospatial Fosters MultiModal National Master Plan

Gati Shakti is a digital platform that brings together 16 government ministries to plan and implement infrastructure connectivity projects in a coordinated manner. The platform integrates different modes of transport, such as roads, railways, airways, and waterways, to provide seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services. This will facilitate the last mile connectivity of infrastructure and reduce travel time for people.

“The foundation of PM Gatishakti rests on recognizing the advantages that can be harnessed through GIS adoption, and reaping them for the betterment of society”, says Dr. Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, Logistics & Trade, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GoI in an exclusive interview.

What are the challenges confronting India's infrastructure, and how does the PM Gati Shakti master plan aim to address them?

The foremost challenge within India's infrastructure realm is its insufficiency. This deficiency can be attributed to inadequate investment, deficient planning, and under-utilization of available technological resources, including digital, construction, and automation technologies.

A significant issue revolves around the lack of substantial investments or sufficient allocation of public funds. These challenges converge into the realm of project governance and infrastructure planning. This entails evaluating the existing infrastructure deficit, procuring funds from private or public sources for infrastructure development, embracing appropriate technologies, and ensuring efficient planning.

Each of these facets fall under the umbrella of governance.

To surmount the hurdles associated with these aspects, leveraging technology emerges as a comprehensive solution. Notably, geospatial technology has proven especially effective, providing substantial solutions to a majority of these challenges. Consequently, the adoption of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, a Geographical

Information System (GIS) platform, has been instrumental.

This platform amalgamates data concerning physical assets both above and below ground across the nation. Additionally, it integrates demographic and socioeconomic data, as well as geographical features commonly found on maps.

The very foundation of PM Gatishakti rests on recognizing the potential advantages that can be harnessed through the adoption of GIS technology. Consequently, we are driven by the anticipation of reaping these advantages for the betterment of society. The integration of these diverse data sets facilitates a significant shift from subjective decision-making by individuals to objective data-driven decision-making.

By making decisions grounded in data, the plan garners greater acceptance and leads to more optimized infrastructure development at cost-effective rates. The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan effectively tackles numerous challenges, thereby contributing to a substantial enhancement of India's infrastructure landscape.

What progress has been achieved thus far under the PM National Gatishakti plan?

Remarkable strides have been taken in advancing the PM National Gatishakti plan. Following its launch in October 2021, swift action was taken, and work commenced in earnest by December of the same year.

The foundation laid by the PM Gatishakti National Master Plan, encompassing digital infrastructure, organizational structure, and widespread promotion, was quickly utilized.

The progress can be quantified through several key factors. First and foremost is the development of a comprehensive digital platform at the national level.

This platform harmoniously integrates state-level master plan portals for all 36 states and Union Territories. Additionally, approximately 30 ministries have established their own planning portals, seamlessly connected to the national platform.

Over 60 specialized planning tools, designed not only for the national master plan but also for individual state plans, have been crafted to address the specific requirements of ministries, states, and sectors.

Regarding administrative arrangements, the Empowered Group of Secretaries was promptly established as the highest-level policy-making body, led by the Cabinet Secretary. Crucially, this entity was integrated into existing governance structures to ensure operational efficiency and minimize financial burdens. This integration serves the dual purpose of avoiding additional resource strain and fostering maximum participation from established government entities.

Furthermore, the Network Planning Group, comprising planning heads from seven infrastructure ministries, has been created to facilitate informed decision-making. This group is supported by a Technical Support Unit comprising 14 industry experts with expertise spanning various sectors, including GIS, railways, roadways, waterways, IT, project financing, and law. This unit collaborates with seven directors from different ministries, functioning as a secretariat for both the Network Planning Group and the Empowered Group of Secretaries.

Efforts in information dissemination have been significant, with all stakeholders, including central government ministries, infrastructure and social sectors, and states and Union Territories, being educated about PM Gatishakti and the potential of GIS technology in addressing infrastructure challenges.

The outcome of these efforts is evident in the creation of an extensive digital infrastructure, housing approximately 16001700 data layers across various platforms. With 41 ministries on board, encompassing social, economic, and infrastructure sectors, the adoption of GIS technology and the PM Gatishakti concept is gaining traction.

However, challenges remain, particularly in optimizing the quality and quantity of data integrated into the GIS plat- form, and in developing increasingly customized and efficient planning tools to enhance user adoption.

States have embraced the initiative as well, with all states and Union Territories establishing similar administrative structures, including Empowered Group of Secretaries, Network Planning Groups, and Technical Support Units. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance has introduced a scheme for special assistance to states for capital expenditure, stipulating that infrastructure projects planned under this scheme must be aligned with the PM Gatishakti platform.

This concerted effort is poised to drive substantial adoption of GIS technology and solution implementation by states, effectively contributing to the realization of the PM National Gatishakti plan's objectives.

Given that various ministries rely on geospatial data, how pivotal is the coordination between different ministries for better integration of infrastructure projects?

The key to effective coordination lies in the successful dissemination of the concept. Once the idea is embraced, coordination naturally follows. We have effectively communicated the concept to stakeholders, who have eagerly embraced it as a viable solution to their challenges. Our approach doesn't demand anything from them; instead, we are positioned to assist and support.

As a result, they view the National Master Plan (NMP) as a means to resolve their issues, making coordination a straightforward process. They are proactively seeking our guidance and support, thereby establishing a collaborative and supportive environment.

Enhancing the adoption of this technology requires another crucial coordination mechanism, facilitated by the digital platform itself. The platform has digitized coordination, fostering continuous and comprehensive communication among various planning portals connected to the national platform.

Effective coordination hinges on seamless communication, a role that the platform consistently fulfills. Any communication obstacles are promptly addressed, thanks to the platform's ability to identify and notify us of any issues.

A response team, comprising system operators, administrators, and ourselves, ensures swift resolution. Notably, substantial hindrances to coordination have not emerged in our experience.

What are the socioeconomic advantages of Gatishakti plan?

The socioeconomic benefits of the PM Gatishakti plan are indeed substantial and exclusively positive. This initiative has been conceived and executed with a clear focus on generating benefits for society at large. The very foundation of PM Gatishakti rests on recognizing the potential advantages that can be harnessed through the adoption of GIS..

Foremost among these benefits is the direct impact on infrastructure development. The aspiration for well-equipped, interconnected, and efficient infrastructure is at the core of this plan. Addressing infrastructure deficits and enhancing quality infrastructure translates into seamless movement of people and goods.

This, in turn, fosters a more conducive environment for business operations, ultimately leading to reduced costs and an improved quality of life.

Meticulous planning of projects also optimizes costs, offering a prudent approach to resource utilization.

Indirectly, the socioeconomic advantages are far-reaching. By implementing PM Gatishakti, the tax burden on the populace can be alleviated. As resources remain more accessible to individuals, the government's share in the form of taxes is proportionately reduced, granting citizens greater financial flexibility and autonomy.

Notably, the plan's scope extends beyond the economic domain, encompassing the social sector as well. The integration of 22 social sector ministries into the initiative amplifies its impact. By extending the benefits of efficient infrastructure planning and deficit identification to sectors like women and child development, family welfare, tribal welfare, and healthcare, the plan ensures a more balanced and equitable distribution of resources. This facet further contributes to the enhancement of societal well-being.

In essence, the PM Gatishakti plan underscores a holistic approach to socioeconomic advancement, leveraging technology, efficient planning, and equitable distribution of resources to create a more prosperous and inclusive society.

What are the challenges currently faced by the PM Gatishakti plan, and what steps have stakeholders initiated to advance the development of resilient infrastructure?

Our primary endeavor revolves around amassing a comprehensive dataset. This encompasses not only GIS-related information but also asset attributes, which encompass dynamic data.

While GIS typically pertains to unchanging physical structures, it's vital to consider the dynamic elements associated with each fixed asset. For instance, a building's nomenclature can shift over time. Hence, we are dedicated to seamlessly integrating dynamic data to its fullest extent.

By incorporating this dynamic data, the effectiveness and efficiency of the National Master Plan (NMP) can be significantly amplified.

This reservoir of dynamic data facilitates a comprehensive market assessment that spans historical, current, and future perspectives. Armed with this valuable insight, we can construct diverse scenarios and accordingly devise strategic infrastructure plans.

This progressive approach seamlessly aligns with the natural evolution of the PM Gatishakti initiative, propelling it forward toward its intended goals of fostering resilient and robust infrastructure.

Are there any additional initiatives in progress? Indeed, we are actively pursuing a few other initiatives. Apart from our focus on infrastructure planning, we have extended our scope to encompass the social sector. This expansion entails delving into not just economic infrastructure, but also the realm of social infrastructure.

Additionally, we are exploring the feasibility of devising area development plans utilizing the same technology and conceptual framework. While we have made considerable progress, there remain certain aspects that require further attention.

Specifically, we are committed to refining our infrastructure-related data. This involves enhancing the completeness, quality, and comprehensiveness of the data at hand, including its dynamic aspects. While a substantial portion of our data is of commendable quality, we recognize the importance of optimizing these facets.

By accomplishing this, we anticipate effectively formulating area development plans. Our comprehensive approach now integrates both economic and social infrastructure planning, culminating in a holistic framework for socio-economic area planning. This marks our ongoing trajectory towards comprehensive and integrated development.

Interviewed by: Jeffy Jacob